Social Worker (MSW)- Education Services

YAI • New York, NY

23d • $65,000 - $70,000

About The Position

If you are a current YAI employee, please click this link to apply through your Workday account. Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities Develops a comprehensive social history and psychosocial assessment of the student and family during the intake process through assessments and evaluations and on an as needed basis. Involves families in care planning and under appropriate clinical supervision, if applicable, provides individual, group and family counseling. Provides students and families with crisis management services, which may include home visits. Regularly participates in IEP meetings, case conferences and/or Parent-Teacher or student conferences to assess family needs by attending and supporting the family during their meeting and conducting appropriate follow-ups. Completes mandatory documentation within timelines established by applicable regulations. Participates in staff meetings and individual supervisory meetings. Participates in advisory boards, developmental disability council meetings, training seminars, professional meetings and other public forums to maintain knowledge of changing systems and policies, citywide and/or advocate for individuals with I/DD. Maintains and develops professional relationships and networks with outside agencies, organizations and service providers to further support students and families and stays current on changing regulations that impact student resources, services and accessibility. Advocates for students and families with community-based organizations, medical providers or specialists and governmental agencies to connect students and families with appropriate resources and services, accompanying families to appointments as needed. Assists students and families with financial questions relating to costs for services or eligibility for funding and grants, making appropriate referrals and assisting with application processes as applicable. Provides ongoing assistance, coaching and support to families in navigating available services, resources and funding, such as OPWDD Eligibility and services, care management, self-direction, family support services, transition supports, respite, community access and leisure opportunities. Facilitates monthly parent/family support groups and coordinates speakers for parent/family workshops. Develops a comprehensive discharge plan in collaboration with students, students' families, multidisciplinary staff, and referral agencies when students are disenrolling from the school. Collaborates with related service providers and educators regarding students’ educational and/or therapeutic goals based on family support needs, provides support with students as needed and to schedule additional services or arrange meetings, as appropriate. Trains and consults with staff regarding psychosocial needs that encompass social, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of individual students and families to increase staff sensitivity. Advises policy decision making by highlighting issues and implications relevant to religious, ethnic and cultural diversity as it affects student life and care and family involvement. Performs all related work, as assigned. Where assigned, to Upper School students preparing to transition out of the school setting, School Social Workers will perform the following tasks, in addition to the above: Leads and/or participates in the creation and implementation of school’s Transition Program, including development of processes, procedures and documentation to guide transition planning and activities or programming that increase student exposure to and independence with activities of daily living and enhancement of social skills. Serves as point person working closely with families, administration, teachers, and related service providers for all transition-related planning. Identifies and develops relationships with community agencies (vocational/recreational/social) and sets appointments for in-person visits to programs, day habilitation and residential facilities with students or families to explore potential placements and develops school-based programs, such as work-based learning, as applicable.

Requirements

• Current license and registration as a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) issued by the New York State Education Department (NYSED); and
• At least one (1) year of experience in a school setting, ideally performing social work-related duties with individuals and families.
• Must be well organized with superior attention to detail and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Able to work with a great degree of independence and focus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Programs and ability to use electronic systems (e.g. Salesforce, Workday, etc.).

Nice To Haves

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) issued by New York State Education Department (NYSED).
• School Social Worker certificate issued by the New York State Education Department Office of Teaching Initiatives.
• Two (2) years of supervised social work experience working with school-aged children and adolescents with I/DD and/or navigating OPWDD and other I/DD service systems in a school or health care setting.
• Knowledge of State and Federal laws/regulations that protect individuals with disabilities in education, employment, and community and familiarity with disability benefits, OPWDD services and regulations and related resources.
• Bilingual in Spanish.
• Knowledge of transition requirements for students with special needs, including how disabilities impact an individual’s ability to function in the post-secondary setting, adult service providers and services offered and Person-Centered Planning in School Transitions (PCAST).
• Two (2) years of experience supporting individuals in need of post-21 transition support.

Responsibilities

• Develops a comprehensive social history and psychosocial assessment of the student and family during the intake process through assessments and evaluations and on an as needed basis.
• Involves families in care planning and under appropriate clinical supervision, if applicable, provides individual, group and family counseling.
• Provides students and families with crisis management services, which may include home visits.
• Regularly participates in IEP meetings, case conferences and/or Parent-Teacher or student conferences to assess family needs by attending and supporting the family during their meeting and conducting appropriate follow-ups.
• Completes mandatory documentation within timelines established by applicable regulations.
• Participates in staff meetings and individual supervisory meetings.
• Participates in advisory boards, developmental disability council meetings, training seminars, professional meetings and other public forums to maintain knowledge of changing systems and policies, citywide and/or advocate for individuals with I/DD.
• Maintains and develops professional relationships and networks with outside agencies, organizations and service providers to further support students and families and stays current on changing regulations that impact student resources, services and accessibility.
• Advocates for students and families with community-based organizations, medical providers or specialists and governmental agencies to connect students and families with appropriate resources and services, accompanying families to appointments as needed.
• Assists students and families with financial questions relating to costs for services or eligibility for funding and grants, making appropriate referrals and assisting with application processes as applicable.
• Provides ongoing assistance, coaching and support to families in navigating available services, resources and funding, such as OPWDD Eligibility and services, care management, self-direction, family support services, transition supports, respite, community access and leisure opportunities.
• Facilitates monthly parent/family support groups and coordinates speakers for parent/family workshops.
• Develops a comprehensive discharge plan in collaboration with students, students' families, multidisciplinary staff, and referral agencies when students are disenrolling from the school.
• Collaborates with related service providers and educators regarding students’ educational and/or therapeutic goals based on family support needs, provides support with students as needed and to schedule additional services or arrange meetings, as appropriate.
• Trains and consults with staff regarding psychosocial needs that encompass social, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity of individual students and families to increase staff sensitivity.
• Advises policy decision making by highlighting issues and implications relevant to religious, ethnic and cultural diversity as it affects student life and care and family involvement.
• Performs all related work, as assigned.
• Leads and/or participates in the creation and implementation of school’s Transition Program, including development of processes, procedures and documentation to guide transition planning and activities or programming that increase student exposure to and independence with activities of daily living and enhancement of social skills.
• Serves as point person working closely with families, administration, teachers, and related service providers for all transition-related planning.
• Identifies and develops relationships with community agencies (vocational/recreational/social) and sets appointments for in-person visits to programs, day habilitation and residential facilities with students or families to explore potential placements and develops school-based programs, such as work-based learning, as applicable.

Benefits

• $65,000 annually to $70,000 annually
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental insurance (with options for family and more extensive medical plans, as well as vision)
• Paid Time Off and School Holidays
• 403(b) retirement with employer match
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees